Rio 2016: Rory McIlroy pulls out of Olympics because of fears over Zika virus

Rory McIlroy said earlier this month that his fears over the virus had eased

Rory McIlroy has pulled out of the Olympic Games in Rio because of concerns about the Zika virus.

In a statement, McIlroy said that "my health and my family's health comes before everything else".

"Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take," said McIlroy, 27.

Vijay Singh and Australia's Marc Leishman have already pulled out of the Games because of the Zika issue.

Earlier this month, four-time major winner McIlroy, who was set to represent Ireland in Rio, said that his concerns over the virus had eased.

The mosquito-borne virus has been linked to brain defects in newborn babies.

• Zika Olympic risk low says WHO

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World number four McIlroy's decision is to a blow to a sport which will be making a return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence.

A number of top golfing stars, including major winners Adam Scott and Louis Oosthuizen, have already pulled out for scheduling and family reasons.

McIlroy added: "I trust the Irish people will understand my decision.

"The unwavering support I receive every time I compete in a golf tournament at home or abroad means the world to me.

"I will continue to endeavour to make my fans and fans of golf proud with my play on the course and my actions off it."

Ireland's Olympic governing body said that it was "extremely disappointed not to be taking Rory with us to Rio" but added that it "respected his decision".

The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) statement added that it had "total confidence that the Games will be safe for all athletes".

It said the OCI has taken its lead from the International Olympic Committee on the Zika situation and was also following recommendations of the Rio 2016 organisers, the World Health Organisation and national health authorities.

After deliberating over the issue, Northern Irishman McIlroy announced in May 2014 that he had decided to play for Ireland and not Great Britain at the Rio Games.

The International Golf Federation also said it was "disappointed" by the decision, but added it accepted players each had to "weigh personally a unique set of circumstances".

Analysis - BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter

Rory McIlroy got engaged to PGA employee Erica Stoll in Paris in December 2015

"People were aware that Rory McIlroy did have concerns. He mentioned the Zika virus a couple of weeks ago. He is 27, engaged to Erica Stoll and has spoken about his desire to start a family in the very near future.

"That said, only last week in a news conference at the US Open Rory said golf's return to the Olympics is something we should be getting excited about.

"Jason Day has raised one or two concerns about the Zika virus, but he has also expressed a desire to represent his country in Rio.

"Day is the world's number one player and people will be watching very closely to see what his reaction is now that McIlroy has taken this decision."

Experts react to McIlroy's decision

Pregnant women have been advised not to travel to areas where there are outbreaks of Zika, while women have also been advised to avoid falling pregnant in these areas.

But the International Olympic Committee, following World Health Organisation advice, says it has "total confidence" the Games will be safe for athletes.

Jonathan Ball, professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, said McIlroy's decision struck him as being "extreme".

"The chances of being infected by Zika virus is low, especially if you protect yourself from mosquito bites by covering up and using a good insect repellent. Most people infected don't even show any symptoms and serious illness, although reported, seems to be a very rare event," he added.

Dr Derek Gatherer, lecturer in biomedical and life sciences at Lancaster University, said: "If Mr McIlroy is contemplating becoming a father within a year or so, then it is a perfectly reasonable precaution to stay away from regions of active Zika transmission.

"On the other hand, if he is not going to become a father any time soon, he has little to worry about."

Analysis

BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter:

While McIlroy's concerns over the risk to his and his family's health should be respected, his withdrawal provides worries for the credibility of golf's return to the Games.

With Marc Leishman and Vijay Singh also steering clear because of Zika fears and Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel staying away for scheduling reasons, the list of absentees is growing.

There will now be close attention on world number one Jason Day and Masters champion Danny Willett. Both have expressed Zika concerns.

If golf has a higher proportion of Rio absentees than other sports, questions over whether it should have been readmitted to the Games will grow louder.